Movies

Amal Clooney's emotional tribute to husband George

Amal Clooney has given a rare romantic toast to her husband Hollywood star George Clooney as he was honoured with an American Film Industry (AFI) Life Achievement Award earlier this week.

Amal admitted she was nervous stepping into the spotlight but wanted to pay tribute to her husband.

"It's somehow easier for me to address a court on behalf of a detainee than to speak publicly, as I'm doing for the first time tonight for my husband," the international human rights lawyer said from the stage.

The barrister, 40, then shared some never-before-revealed details of their romance.

"I met George when I was 35 and starting to become quite resigned to the idea that I was going to be a spinster," she said. "Then we met, started hiding out in my London flat and very soon it felt like no matter what happened I would never want to be with anyone else. I couldn't sleep when we were apart, and I'm told I would display a particular grin and head tilt when reading his text messages or the letters that he would hide in my bag.

"Five years later, none of that has changed," she continued. "He is the person who has my complete admiration, and also the person whose smile makes me melt every time. My love, what I have found with you is the great love that I always hoped existed. And seeing you with our children, Ella and Alexander, is the greatest joy in my life. You fill our home with laughter and happiness and that's even before the children have worked out that 'Dada' is actually Batman."

She also spoke about her husband’s generosity, his fight for justice, and his witty sense of humour.

“Although George’s modesty attributes much of the success we are celebrating here tonight to luck, I think it’s incredible talent and character that got him here and these attributes also make him an amazing husband and father,” she said.

George, who visibly teared up during Amal's speech, also gave a heartwarming speech when he took to the stage to accept his AFI award from past winner Shirley MacLaine.

"So yesterday, my two children turned one year old," the Oscar-winner said, adding: "I thought if you had a successful career that you weren't really going to be able to have one great love in your life. And then Amal walked in.

"And now we've got these two knuckleheads," Clooney continued. "And every day they make me feel small. And Amal...you make every single day, every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, as special as today."